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EU cooperation with third countries

The European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (7th RFP) supports cooperation and coordination efforts between the research and funding activities of Member States (ERA-NETs) and aims to intensify the research policy dialogue between the European Union and other parts of the world (INCO-NETs). The IB, on behalf of the BMBF, is involved in various European activities.

Support of cooperation and coordination of research activities at national and regional level:

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  ERA-NETs

  ERA-NETs are the main instrument for the coordination of research activities of the 7th RFP. The aim of the ERA-NET system is to improve cooperation and coordination efforts between the research activities carried out by Member States and associated countries at national and regional level. In order to achieve this goal, existing research activities need to be networked and opened up to each other, and joint calls for proposals and programmes need to be developed and implemented.
  [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/1837.php)
   
  

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  Large-Scale Assessment for Vocational Education and Training (VET-LSA)

  In addition to the 7th RFP the IB is involved in the coordination of research activities in the educational sector. On behalf of the BMBF, the IB will provide secretariat services for an international large-scale assessment of vocational education and training in eight European countries. The project is expected to start in 2010.
  [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3569.php)
   
  

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  INCO-NETs

  In addition to improving cooperation between EU Member States as well as between countries that are associated with the 7th RFP, the 7th RFP also aims to increase cooperation between the EU and third countries. For this reason, targeted calls for proposals are being launched for projects that include international cooperation. These calls are geared towards special target groups (INCO target countries: international cooperation partner countries; ICPC).
  [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/2957.php)
   
  

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  BILAT-Projects

  The 7th RFP has the aim of initiating an intensive dialogue among the partner countries by supporting BILAT projects (Bilateral S&T Cooperation Partnerships; BILAT countries).
  [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3179.php)
   
  

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  ACCESS4EU

  Das EU-Forschungsrahmenprogramm ist für die Beteiligung von Drittstaaten generell offen. Die WTZ-Abkommen der EU mit Drittstaaten fordern entsprechend eine reziproke Öffnung der nationalen Programme in Drittstaaten. Die Umsetzung dieser Reziprozität soll durch die Access4EU-Projekte gestärkt und weiter implementiert werden.
  [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/3678.php)
   
  

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  Other EU initiatives

  The BMBF is an important partner for the EU in the definition of future thematic priorities and is involved in various other support measures and coordination activities within the 6th and 7th Research Framework Programmes, either directly or via the International Bureau or other organizations.
  [more] (URL: http://www.internationales-buero.de/en/2955.php)